Design For Dignity Dialogues: The Vignes Interim Housing Project

Design For Dignity Dialogues: The Vignes Interim Housing Project

AIA LA Design For Dignity Roundtable Discussion

On June 25, 2021 AIA Los Angeles will host our 6th annual Design For Dignity conference. Between now and then, we will be coordinating a series of dialogues to highlight various programs, projects, and initiatives that are helping to address best-practices for addressing the homelessness crisis.

On March 25th, we will feature a virtual roundtable with the team that helped to deliver the Vignes Interim Housing project.

Faced with more than 66,000 persons experiencing homelessness and a growing unhoused population increasingly at risk during COVID-19, the County of Los Angeles consulted NAC Architecture and Bernards to participate in resolving the complex issue of providing immediate and cost-effective housing. The team created a component-based design solution that supported parallel execution of design, construction and agency approvals to meet a highly aggressive schedule. On the path of innovation, the team expanded to include the expertise of Vesta Modular and the use of recycled shipping containers from Crate Modular. Please join us in this dynamic discussion in resolving the homelessness crisis.

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Speakers:

J. Marcella Ayala, MBA, Assoc. DBIA – Director of Business Development, Bernards (moderator)
Timothy Ballard, AIA, LEED AP – Principal, NAC Architecture
Michael Funderberg, LEED AP – Vice President, Bernards
Amanda Gattenby – Vice President of Development, Crate
Billy Hall – Co-Founder, Vesta Modular
Vince Yu – Division Head of Project Management Division II, Department of Public Works, County of Los Angeles

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J. Marcella Ayala, MBA, Assoc. DBIA – Director of Business Development, Bernards (moderator)

Marcella brings nearly two decades of experience in the AEC industry, having worked on financial analyses of redevelopment projects and building strategic joint ventures for large-scale civil infrastructure pursuits. She uses this experience coupled with her experience in the Los Angeles Mayor’s Office to spearhead new public-private partnership opportunities.

Marcella is Bernards’ principal liaison with Southern California cities, counties, and government agencies, leading the efforts to develop the company portfolio of public works. She earned her MBA from Cornell University after she graduated cum laude from San Diego State University and is Associate DBIA certified.

Timothy Ballard, AIA, LEED AP – Principal, NAC Architecture

Tim Ballard, a Principal at the national planning and design firm NAC, has 40 years of experience in the design and construction of public projects. He specializes in working with public sector clients to execute efficient and innovative solutions. As a designer, speaker, and dedicated team leader, he’s driven by a strong desire to create a grounded architecture that supports healthy, inclusive communities.

Located out of the Los Angeles office, Tim has worked with the County of Los Angeles on public sector projects for over 15 years, including three recent housing projects: Lotus Emergency Shelter, Vignes Interim Housing project, and Rancho Los Amigos Temporary Housing. Tim holds a Master’s Degree in Architecture from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Sciences from Harvard.

Tim has been a presenter at the National Association of Home Builders National Convention and has spoken about “smart house” technologies at several home building tradeshows. Also, Tim has presented the AMLA charter school project at the World of Modular Exhibit conference and served on panels for the California Charter School Association.

Michael Funderberg, LEED AP – Vice President, Bernards

Michael Funderberg, Vice President at Bernards, is a leader in OSHPD construction with over 20 years of experience in building numerous socially important projects including the County of Los Angeles’ Vignes Interim Housing Project, the Mark Ridley Behavioral Health Center, and the US Army Corps of Engineers’ COVID-19 Emergency Field Hospital. His healthcare expertise has placed Mike at the helm of many of Bernards’ healthcare projects such as the White Memorial Medical Center, the Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital New Patient Tower Design-Build Project, Huntington Hospital in Pasadena, and Tehachapi Hospital for the Tehachapi Valley Healthcare District. An Associate Constructor with the American Institute of Contractors and a member of the General Contractors Construction Leadership Council, he holds a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from Boise State University and is a LEED® Accredited Professional.

Amanda Gattenby – Vice President of Development, Crate

Amanda has worked in the development and construction of primarily affordable housing for more than 15 years. She has overseen the new construction and rehabilitation of more than 1,200 multifamily units and more than 100,000 square feet of commercial space in California and Arizona. Amanda has led business development for modular project management for general contractors, and owners’ representation and construction management for affordable housing development. She specializes in groundbreaking, sustainable projects that have a compassionate component.

At CRATE, Amanda’s industry knowledge and ability to attract and manage deal flow are optimized. In her current role, she focuses on client development, pipeline management, and the orchestration of complex construction needs and demands—all of which lead to incredible projects.

Billy Hall – Co-Founder, Vesta Modular

Billy Hall is the Co-Founder of VESTA Modular and is a certified professional estimator and construction professional with over 20 years of industry experience. Along with Daniel McMurtrie, Billy saw the opportunity to further enhance and develop a better modular process in 2014 when VESTA was launched. With extensive site and manufacturing experience, thinking beyond the box has proven to bridge the gap from the factory to the site as well as creating opportunities to improve economics and schedule to each project.

In his current position he is responsible for overseeing all aspects of Operations including project development, design, costing, site work, administrative, IT, marketing, and executing the strategic goals in line with the vision of building the VESTA brand.

Vince Yu – Division Head of Project Management Division II, Department of Public Works, County of Los Angeles

Vince is the Division Head of Project Management Division II at Los Angeles County Department of Public Works overseeing many County capital projects.  He was the project executive of several successfully completed high-profile design-build projects such as Hall of Justice, Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center Renovation and Beautification, and Campus Kilpatrick Replacement.  As a licensed architect with over 30 years of design and project management experience, he strongly supports design excellence and team collaboration in the development of capital projects for Los Angeles County.  He is also a Councilmember and current Mayor of the City of Temple City.

Photo Credit of Vignes Interim Housing Project: Dan Ursitti